Annual Report 2004 Randolph King Executive Vice President for Television

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Executive Staff

Daniel J. Schmidt President and CEO Reese P. Marcusson Executive Vice President and CFO Farrell Frentress Executive Vice President for Development WTTW11 • 98.7WFMT Annual Report 2004 Randolph King Executive Vice President for Television

Officers

Joanie Bayhack Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Direct Marketing Donna Davies Senior Vice President, Development Jerry Hanna Senior Vice President, Engineering & Building Management V.J. McAleer Senior Vice President, Community Partnerships, Production and Outreach Parke Richeson Senior Vice President, Finance and Business Development Steve Robinson Senior Vice President for Radio

Network Chicago 5400 North St. Louis Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60625 773.583.5000 www.networkchicago.com

On the cover: WTTW Master Control Room during production of Chicago Tonight.

WordsWords from from the President the President & CEO: & CEO: Network Chicago: Core Services It seems like yesterday that my family gathered in Throughout 2004, the staff at WTTW11 and In closing, I want to thank our tireless Board of breathless anticipation for the delivery of our first 98.7WFMT focused not only on producing the Trustees for their long hours and invaluable WTTW11 Public Television Events networkchicago.com color television set. It was massive. We gazed in very best programming, but on ways to extend contributions; our dedicated staff, who are com- amazement as the florescent colors flickered in the experience. In January, we hosted our first mitted to producing the best that broadcasting Now in its fifth decade, WTTW11 reaches All of our outreach events are designed to serve There were more than 45.6 million visits to our Art Linkletter’s necktie and danced on the Lennon Taste of Check, Please!, a special event that fea- has to offer; and our members and donors, Sisters’ dresses. You actually had to get off the tured 24 restaurants seen on our hit show – more who make WTTW11 and 98.7WFMT possible. 4 million viewers a month and enjoys the and engage the community, especially children websites, WTTW.com and WFMT.com, over couch to change the channel – you had a grand than 400 people attended. In September, we largest public television audience in the nation. and their families. This year, we extended our the past year. Beyond serving as a resource for total of three choices. That was 1965. hosted a Get Ready to Learn event -- nearly 1,000 As you browse through this year’s annual report, With a strong combination of national and programming into the lives of our audience our TV and radio listings, the sites continue to children joined Between the Lions characters to you will see images that reflect the passion felt by Well, it’s now 2005. We have 500 cable stations, read stories, play educational games and collect the people behind your favorite programs. Thank local productions, WTTW11 offers a range of with the highly successful Taste of Check, be a place for our members to become con- countless music channels, internet connect, and school supplies for underprivileged families. In you for appreciating their work. quality programming in the performing and Please! event in our studios in January, the first nected to the people, places and things to do wide screen high-def with surround sound. Soon August, 2,000 children came to Lincoln Park for a fine arts, nature, science and public affairs, as annual WTTWKids Fun and Run in August in in Chicago. you will connect your plasma screen to your 5K walk and a 3K run to benefit quality children’s Sincerely, computer, opening the door to unlimited world- programming. Faces lit up as children met their well as a rich and diverse children’s schedule. Lincoln Park, and educational initiatives such as wide content. And you will download your favorite characters, got treats and balloon ani- Ready to Learn, the PBS-sponsored children’s The Network Chicago Guide favorite TV shows on your Palm Pilot. Anytime. mals, and danced to live music. 98.7WFMT: Chicago’s Classical Experience literacy program, which this year provided Anywhere. workshops, books and other materials to hun- Our widely distributed monthly program guide Throughout the year, 98.7WFMT proudly opened The pace of today’s changing broadcast land- its Fay and Daniel Levin Performance Studio to Dan Schmidt Since its inception in 1951, 98.7WFMT contin- dreds of parents, childcare professionals and provides our members with comprehensive, scape is staggering. So, how does WTTW11, 84 artists, who performed short segments live on President & CEO/Network Chicago ues to provide the best and broadest selection of educators, and more than 3,000 of our easy-to-read television and radio listings, as well born 50 years ago, stay relevant in today’s the radio. Chicago’s only remaining classical classical music and fine arts programming youngest viewers. We also created events exclu- as exclusive invitations to special events and world? And how does 98.7WFMT endure in the music station continued its commitment to local 21st century? Those questions are a mantra at performing ensembles -- from the Chicago heard in the country. While other classical music sive to our members, including a well-attended information on community initiatives. our management and production meetings. Chamber Musicians to the Elgin Symphony broadcasters are fast disappearing, 98.7WFMT Fall Preview screening. We believe that to stay relevant, we need to Orchestra. We also joined to celebrate the open- is enjoying the largest audience and highest provide a multi-dimensional sensory experi- ing of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium ratings in its history. WFMT Radio Network ence. Now, more than ever, public television Park by broadcasting one of their first concerts. and classical radio have become a community syndicates a wide range of series and pro- meeting place. We must reach out to our This year, more than ever, we welcomed grams across the United States and around viewers and listeners in a way that affects them Chicagoans of all ages into our studios – from the world. both emotionally and intellectually. rock fans for Soundstage to the Chicago Children’s Choir, from international journalists touring the Digital Broadcast Center to high school students participating in the senatorial candidate forums. The goal of every special event was to better connect to our 4 million monthly viewers and 1.3 million monthly listeners.

1 The Chicago Tonight Team. Left to right: Bob Sirott, Rich Samuels, Phil Ponce, Eddie Arruza, Elizabeth Brackett. WTTW11 Public Television WTT 2004 Highlights: • Ready to Learn, our preschool literacy WTTW11 Local Productions program, has conducted more than 50 and Co-Productions WTTW11 maintained its status as the most- workshops in our community, all of which watched public television station in America, have enriched the lives of thousands of par- About Chicago becoming the leading producer of more local ents, teachers, childcare providers, and – Host Geoffrey Baer leads these architectural programming than any other public television most importantly – children. mini-tours throughout Chicago. Highlights this station – and possibly commercial station – in • Over the past year, WTTW11 and year included Chicago’s grand new Millennium the country. 98.7WFMT have created events that further Park, a tour of four architecturally significant • We are one of only three PBS stations that connect our viewers and listeners to the world hotels, festive holiday lights and home deco- have increased prime time ratings by 15%. of Chicago. The monthly Network Chicago rations in Lincolnwood, and the centennial • Steady ratings have prevailed for the Guide and our website networkchicago.com of Orchestra Hall. (These are segments on hour-long Chicago Tonight, our flagship offer a sneak peek at these wonderful con- Chicago Tonight, but also air as distinct nightly magazine show. Ratings among viewers certs, events and experiences. half-hours.) aged 25-49 are up 80% over last year. • Programs that appealed to a wide age range • Winner of 9 Midwest Emmy Awards for of WTTW11 audiences – Check, Please!, a Artbeat Chicago excellence in broadcasting, tying with ABC7 highly rated restaurant review series, Sound Now in its ninth season, hosts Fawn Ring and for the most wins in the region. Opinions, a rock music review program, and Phil Ponce and their team of correspondents • Significant growth in membership among Soundstage, a national high-def PBS music showcase Chicago’s rich and diverse visual and culturally diverse households. concert show – enjoyed continued popularity. performing arts scene. • Continuing strong alliances with other • WTTW11 provided its usual stellar political cultural institutions, including the Chicago coverage and analysis during this year’s election Arts Across Illinois Historical Society, the Field Museum, Adler campaign, profiling the candidates for U.S. Hosted by Bob Sirott, this series, made possible Planetarium and more, to share inspiring and Senate, featuring them in candidate forums, and by the Illinois Arts Council, showcases diverse educational content. offering Candidate Free Time for local candi- artistic talent from across the state, through dates to present their platforms to our audience, magazine programs and a live performance helping them to make informed decisions on special. Election Day.

Top right: U.S. Senator Barack Obama participates in the televised Student Voices Forum. Center right: Dancers in performance during Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage. Bottom right: Joel Weisman, host of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review.

5 Fawn Ring and Phil Ponce, co-hosts of Artbeat Chicago. Check, Please! Eddie Arruza. Favorite features include film and Student Voices Forum The Golden Apple Awards Jewish Chicago: 1948 and Beyond South of Chicago: This Emmy-winning local restaurant review theater reviews, cooking segments, financial Working with the non-partisan Mikva for Excellence in Teaching This sequel to WTTW11’s highly praised docu- Suburbs, Steel Mills, Shoreline program began a new season with its popular stories from Crain’s Chicago Business, and Challenge and with support from the This year’s 19th annual broadcast, hosted for mentary about the early history of Jewish In the region south of Chicago, everything host: Master Sommelier Alpana Singh of Bob’s personal essays, “One More Thing.” Annenberg Foundation, these televised forums the first time by Bob Sirott, honored 10 Chicago followed Chicago’s Jewish community seems bigger than life -- the heroes and villains, Chicago’s acclaimed Everest. during the primary and general election outstanding Chicago high school teachers. as it migrated across the Chicago metropolitan the bridges, boats and buildings, and even Chicago Tonight Election Specials campaign allowed Chicago area high school Former WTTW President Bill McCarter was area, and sampled the incredibly diverse array people’s dreams. Starting in Gary, Geoffrey Chicago Matters: Our Next Generation students an opportunity to question the can- also honored for his part in initiating the of Jewish life in the city today. Baer took us on a rollicking journey along the Now in its 14th year, the nation's longest- The Choice for Senate didates for U.S. Senate directly. Chicago Awards and bringing them to television. waterways, highways and railways of Chicago’s running multi-media public affairs series Correspondents Elizabeth Brackett and Rich Tonight news anchor Phil Ponce hosted. Leopold and Loeb: Love and south suburbs and northwest Indiana. turned its attention to Chicago area youth in Samuels teamed up on these documentary-style High School Basketball Championships Murder in Chicago segments on Chicago Tonight. Mawi Asgedom, biographies of Democrat Barack Obama Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Live coverage of the Chicago Public League This one-hour documentary – winner of this Sound Opinions a young Chicago immigrant who became a and Republican Alan Keyes, examining the Local writers, reporters and broadcasters recap High School Boys Basketball Game of the year’s Emmy for Best Documentary of As on their popular radio program, the rock Harvard valedictorian and teen motivational formative experiences in their lives that led the most significant stories of the week in a Week, with play-by-play commentary pro- Historical Significance -- explored one of the music critics from the Chicago Tribune and speaker and author, brought us a wide range of them to seek a place in the most exclusive high-energy roundtable discussion hosted by vided by veteran sports reporter and Chicago crimes of the century as a pair of brilliant the Chicago Sun-Times, Greg Kot and Jim insightful stories on teens and their challenges. club in America: the U.S. Senate. Joel Weisman. Tonight’s Executive Producer Mike Leiderman. University of Chicago students murdered a DeRogotis, sit down in front of our cameras to young boy in the 1920s, just to see if they could sound off on the music releases of the week. Chicago Stories Candidate Forums Chicago Tonight: The Friday Night Show Illinois Lawmakers pull off “the perfect crime.” This program, This critically acclaimed Emmy award-winning For both the primary and the general election, On this weekly show, host Bob Sirott conducts Respected political analyst Bruce DuMont hosts narrated by John Callaway, inspired an exhibit Chicago’s Wildest Moments: documentary series, narrated by John Callaway, WTTW teamed up with the City Club of a freewheeling discussion with one of Chicago’s this in-depth examination of issues under con- which opened at the Chicago Historical Society 15 Years in One Hour tells the inside stories of Chicago’s most fascinat- Chicago to present these live joint appearances most colorful and newsworthy personalities. sideration in the Illinois General Assembly. on the 80th anniversary of the murder. This award-winning special, with host Will ing people, places and events – past and present. by the U.S. Senate candidates in the closing days Guests have included such luminaries as actor Clinger and his Wild Correspondents, cele- Chicago Stories documentary segments on the of the campaign. Chicago Tonight news anchor Dan Aykroyd, former Bears coach Mike Ditka, Image Union Northwest of Chicago: brated Wild Chicago’s 15th anniversary by Iroquois Fire, the Pump Room, Hugh Hefner, Phil Ponce moderated these fast-moving, newscaster and journalist Carol Marin, U.S. The longest-running program of its kind in From Farm Fields to Boomtowns featuring the best of WTTW’s guide to the the polio epidemic and many others were also provocative forums before a live audience in the Senator Barack Obama and Francis America, WTTW11’s showcase for award- In the latest of his tours, Geoffrey Baer exam- offbeat, strange and just-plain-weird in featured on Chicago Tonight. Grainger Studio. Cardinal George. winning documentaries and short films is in ined “the land beyond O’Hare.” From an archi- Chicago and beyond. its 27th year. tecturally significant movie palace in Park Ridge Chicago Tonight Candidate Free Time Global Chicago to the first McDonald’s in Des Plaines to the his- Your Chicago Kitchen WTTW11’s flagship nightly live newsmagazine As a service to voters, candidates for local These Chicago Tonight segments examined toric Woodstock Opera House where Orson Hosts Cheryl Hamada and Richard Steele is hosted by Bob Sirott with news analysis by office were given free airtime to present Chicago’s place in the global marketplace by Welles and Paul Newman got their starts, this welcome professional and amateur local chefs Phil Ponce. Correspondents Elizabeth Brackett their political platforms. looking at its imports and exports -- people and pledge special captured it all. into the studio to demonstrate their favorite and Rich Samuels have been joined by reporter goods -- in this increasingly small world. recipes in this hit pledge program.

9 Tour program host Geoffrey Baer. WTTW National Productions RAGGs Holiday Jam The McLaughlin Group Money Farm The RAGGs Kids Club Band is an award-win- Irrepressible host John McLaughlin and his reg- Produced in partnership with Bank One, this ning musical troupe that stars in a live-action ular guests tackle topics of interest and intrigue series, now syndicated in other cities, teaches holiday musical adventure in the Colorado in the political, social, and economic arenas. children fundamental lessons in managing Rockies. In this delightful children’s special, the McLaughlin fuels the fire by interjecting his money in a fun and engaging way. Band has a great time playing a school concert own opinions and keeps the conversation on featuring lots of holiday songs and learns the fast track. One Dog at a Time with Dennis Hill valuable lessons about making new friends. This 90-minute pledge special features an WTTW is the presenting station for this John McLaughlin’s One on One amazingly simple new way to train your national show. Now in its 20th year, this weekly program is dog. On the show, Mr. Hill demonstrates his one of the most respected public affairs pro- system with great success by teaching five PBS Signature Series grams on the air. With his finger on the pulse of “behavior-challenged” dogs he has never breaking news, John McLaughlin secures exclu- seen before. WTTW11 continues to present the best that sive, thought-provoking, behind-the-scenes PBS has to offer, including The American accounts from diverse and international figures. Soundstage Experience, Nature, Nova, Antiques WTTW National Productions’ hit music series Roadshow, Masterpiece Theatre, Frontline, MEXICO—One Plate at a Time continues with recent tapings in our own Great Performances and much more. with Rick Bayless Grainger Studio: John Mayer with Buddy Guy; Renowned chef Rick Bayless turns up the heat and the Chris Isaak Christmas show with spe- PBS Kids on this continuing popular cooking series, cial guests Michael Bublé, Brian McKnight and celebrating traditional and contemporary Stevie Nicks. We also recently produced two With new episodes of Arthur and Dragon Tales, Mexican cuisine. shows in Nashville: George Jones: 50 Years of and two new series, Maya & Miguel and Hits, which PBS aired in prime time on Postcards from Buster, our children’s program Thanksgiving night and a new Michael roster remains strong, with more than half McDonald show with special guests Toni of our broadcast day devoted to quality Braxton, Take 6 and India.Arie. kids’ programming. And our commitment is rewarded: in Chicago, WTTW11 is the most- watched television station by children 2-11. Top left: Buddy Guy and John Mayer on Soundstage. Middle left: Money Farm. Bottom left: New PBS Kids program Maya & Miguel. Right: Shelby Lynne on Soundstage.

13 98.7WFMT hosts Lisa Flynn and Carl Grapentine in the Richard and Mary L.Gray Music Library. 98.7WFMT: Chicago’s Classical Experience Impromptu Music in Chicago WFMT and the Radio Networks These brief performance segments from the Part of WFMT’s commitment to Chicago area 2004 Highlights: Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts Levin Performance Studio featured 84 per- performing ensembles, weekly broadcasts fea- Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin Carl Grapentine hosts weekly live broadcasts formers. tured the Chicago Chamber Musicians, con- Listener response to this popular series is • Steve Robinson, Senior Vice President of that showcase emerging young artists in recital certs from the series The University of Chicago unprecedented. This program airs each Radio, won the Deems Taylor Award for at Chicago’s Cultural Center. Live from the Martin Theatre Presents, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and weekday at 7 p.m. on WFMT and is heard Excellence in Contemporary Music WFMT aired chamber music concerts and the complete season of nine Live from NEIU in markets throughout the country. Programming. Folkstage recitals on Monday nights, live and recorded concerts, which are broadcast live from • Through the WFMT Radio Network, the Rich Warren hosts hour-long, uninterrupted throughout the summer in Ravinia’s Martin Northeastern Illinois University’s Fine Arts Leonard Bernstein: An American Life station broadcasts major symphony orchestra performances by noted folk artists and singer- Theatre. Recital Hall in their Jewel Box concert series. This 11-part series on the life and work of concerts, grand opera, drama, mainstream jazz, songwriters from the U.S. and Canada. Many Leonard Bernstein was produced by Steve folk music and news to more than 650 outlets of the broadcasts originate live from the Fay Live from WFMT Tranquillo with Dennis Moore Rowland and hosted by Susan Sarandon. It is in the U. S. and around the world. and Daniel Levin Performance Studio. WFMT’s own concert series presents Chicago Dennis hosts this late-evening music series, distributed by the Network. area and visiting artists in live performance and presented without commercial interruption. 98.7WFMT Local Programming From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas conversation from the Levin Performance The Milken Archive of American Andy plays and discusses rare recordings made Studio, hosted by Kerry Frumkin. Writers on the Record Jewish Music Chicago Symphony Retrospective by the great vocal artists of the past. Often taken Produced jointly with Chicago Magazine, This 13-part series, hosted by Leonard Nimoy, with Don Tait from hard-to-find 78-rpm recordings, the The Midnight Special with Rich Warren Writers on the Record is a new monthly series covers the entire range of Jewish musical Drawing on the Chicago Symphony performances celebrate opera’s golden age. Folk music and farce, show tunes and satire, hosted by Victoria Lautman, and broadcast live expression in American classical, liturgical, Orchestra’s discography of more than 900 madness and escape -- Rich covers the local and from the Lookingglass Theatre. Victoria’s guests theatrical, pop, and folk genres. recordings, Don profiles the orchestra's recorded Grant Park national folk-music scene with three hours have included Edward P. Jones, winner of history from the 78-rpm days to the digital era. WFMT joined the celebration of the opening of weekly devoted to a wide range of recordings the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for literature for his The New York Philharmonic the Grant Park Orchestra’s new home, the Jay by artists of yesterday and today. book The Known World, Susan Orlean and This 39-week national broadcast series began Critical Thinking with Andrew Patner Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, with its Augusten Burroughs. in October. Andrew’s ongoing conversation series explores broadcast of a concert during the opening Music from Northwestern the performing arts scene in Chicago. Guests weekend. Other Grant Park Orchestra per- Hosted by Kerry Frumkin, this weekly series Concerts from the Milwaukee Symphony have included University of Chicago Professor formances were broadcast as part of WFMT’s showcases Northwestern University School of and a 4-week series from the Jerusalem Norman Golb, who discussed medieval Jewish Music in Chicago series. And WFMT continued Music faculty, ensembles, distinguished alumni, Symphony music, and renowned stage director Peter Stein, its tradition of live broadcasts of the annual and guest artists in performance and con- creator of the recent production of Mozart’s Independence Eve concert from the Petrillo versation. Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Music Shell.

Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin.

17 Broadcast Map networkchicago.com Events

Every month, WTTW11 reaches more than Nearly a million pages were viewed each month Over the past year, WTTW11 has created 4 million viewers in four states: Illinois, over the past year on Network Chicago's events that target the interests and passions of Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. About 85 websites, WTTW.com and WFMT.com. And our wide and diverse audience. These events not percent of Chicago households tune in to the monthly hits grew to more than 5 million as only educate, engage and entertain -- they con- Channel 11 at least once a month. electronic communications expanded to reach nect our audience to all things Chicago and to thousands of viewers, listeners and members the world beyond. 98.7WFMT serves more than 1.3 million through our television and radio e-mail newslet- monthly listeners in its four-state broadcast ters. Beyond serving as a resource for program- Throughout 2004, we opened our studio doors range, through the Internet, and as the largest ming information, the sites continue to serve as to hundreds of schoolchildren, college students, FM cable superstation in the country. an events and information connection point for and international visitors. We are focusing more on Chicago's cultural community. outreach, which allows us to extend program content into our communities to impact lives.

Network Chicago Guide Ready to Learn This children’s literacy initiative allowed us to The Network Chicago Guide has gotten extend our reach to area children far beyond • South Haven Racine • rave reviews from members and advertisers our children’s programming -- conducting free workshops for parents, children and caregivers. Kenosha • alike. In addition to comprehensive TV and • St. Joseph radio listings, it also provides “Connections” We also distributed books and other education- Waukegan • to exclusive member events and other local al materials to kids in underserved communities • Elgin Evanston • activities, and “Perks” – discounts on enter- in our viewing area, and hosted special events Chicago • • Michigan City • Aurora • Gary tainment and services around town. and performances by our own Ready to Learn • Joliet Players and others to engage and entertain our Kankakee • Produced very economically in-house, the Guide has also been a steady revenue generator smallest viewers. In 2004, these workshops with paid advertising and promotion of and other events reached thousands of area organizational fundraising initiatives. childcare professionals, educators, parents and their children.

Left: Kelly Mannard and Deborah Liverett from Northern Trust with Chef Jacques Pepin. Right: Trustee Joan Harris and producer Steve Rowland at the premiere of Leonard Bernstein: An American Life.

19 Carmen Schmidt conducts a Ready to Learn workshop. WTTW11 Highlights: Fast Food, My Way 98.7WFMT Highlights: Noted chef and author Jacques Pepin hosted an Taste of Check, Please! elegant luncheon for donors at the Ritz-Carlton. The Midnight Special This first-ever event attracted 400 guests and Pepin was in town to launch his new PBS 50th Anniversary Celebration showcased 23 area restaurants previously fea- cooking series and book by the same name, Held on New Year’s Eve 2003 at the Old Town tured on our hit local restaurant review pro- Fast Food, My Way. School of Folk Music, Rich Warren hosted the gram. Participants were treated to tastings from live national broadcast that featured Tom a wide variety of eateries, a great silent auction Hispanocare Paxton, Anne Hills, Susan Werner, Greg and sweepstakes drawing, and also had the In conjunction with our presentation of the Greenway and others. opportunity to meet many of our on-air stars, popular American Family series, we conducted including Check, Please! host and Master eight seminars, bringing a wealth of healthcare Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin Live! Sommelier Alpana Singh. information and materials to Chicago’s Latino This Fine Arts Circle event held at The Arts community. Club in May featured Bill and a quintet of WTTWKids Fun and Run talented musicians from Chicago’s Merit In August, WTTW hosted 2,000 of our Aging Out School of Music. youngest viewers and their families at this inau- WTTW11 is partnering with the University of gural event, a 3K Family Walk and 5K Fun Run Chicago’s Chapin Hall Center for children to Richard and Mary L. Gray Library in Lincoln Park. Participants enjoyed refresh- develop an outreach campaign about youth Dedication Concert ments, performances by Ralph Covert of aging out of foster care. This effort is an The library was dedicated with a concert Ralph’s World, visits with their favorite charac- extension of the PBS program titled Aging Out. featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ters from our PBS Kids program lineup, and Brass Ensemble. other surprises. Leonard Bernstein: An American Life Fall Preview Event A reception to kick off the 11-part series was In September in our own Grainger Studio, our held at The Arts Club in September. Series midlevel donors enjoyed a sneak preview of our producer Steve Rowland provided a fascinating upcoming fall programs, heard a lecture by account of the history of the series. Vice President of Programming, Dan Soles, and met hosts Kevin O’Connor and Roger Cook of This Old House. Top left: Arthur and friend at a WTTWKids event. Top right: Trustee Jim Donnelley with Check, Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh and Chicago Tonight’s Phil Ponce at the first Taste of Check, Please! event. Center right: Taste of Check, Please! Lower right: Opera singer Marilyn Horne with WFMT’s Kerry Frumkin.

23 Left: (top) Midnight Special host Rich Warren with Greg Greenway and Tom Paxton. Upper right: Peter Martinez, Chicago Tonight’s Elizabeth Brackett, Jim The first WTTWKids Fun and Run event. Left: Buster and friends. Upper right: Families participating in the Walk. Middle right: Spencer Weber with Farrell and Kate Lehrer, Trustee Virginia Ojeda and Anne Roosevelt at a Lehrer booksigning. Middle right: Kevin O’Connor of This Old House with a fan at the and Doris Frentress. Lower right: Entertainer Ralph Covert with a young fan. Fall Preview event. Lower right: The crew of Apollo 8 (Frank Borman, Bill Anders and James Lovell) at a fundraiser for a new documentary on the mission.

25 Chicago Production Center: A Full-Service Facility

The Chicago Production Center is one of the Production partners include A.T. Kearney, Midwest’s most significant television pro- Capital Nashville, Lyric Opera of Chicago, duction facilities, producing numerous award- Sony Electronics, NBC Productions, Fan’s winning national programs. It is comprised of Choice Awards, the BBC, the NAACP-spon- four major soundstages, including the 10,000- sored senatorial debate, BBCNews, FOX, foot Grainger Studio. Laugh-It-Off Productions, Richard Harrison Bailey, Nightly Business Report, Pegasus The Center has been the home of a wide variety Players, Celebrity Justice, WYCC, Walgreens, of syndicated series, network series and specials Marx Creative of Milwaukee, Puerto Rican – including talk shows, live concerts and “how Arts Alliance and more. Our most recent pro- to” series. Our studios also serve as locations for duction in Grainger Studio is the national music national commercials, infomercials, corporate series Soundstage, featuring a wide variety of videos and teleconferences. musical performers, including John Mayer, Chris Isaak, Stevie Nicks, Burt Bachrach and Ronald Isley, and many more.

Check, Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh at Everest. A taping of Soundstage.

27 Executive Staff

Officers

Network Chicago 5400 North St. Louis Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60625 773.583.5000 www.networkchicago.com

On the cover: WTTW Master Control Room during production of Chicago Tonight.